Sponsors (2)
The bill trades a simpler, more locally controlled and predictable block‑grant funding structure for the elimination of many targeted federal education programs and indexed funding, which risks reduced services for high‑need students, erosion of real funding over time, and shifted costs to states, localities, territories, and tribes.
State education agencies and local districts receive a predictable, level funding baseline locked to FY2025 allocations starting in FY2026, helping state budgeting and district planning.
Local school districts gain greater control over curricula and spending because many federally directed requirements and categorical restrictions are removed.
Consolidating multiple programs into a single state block grant reduces federal compliance and administrative burdens for SEAs and LEAs, simplifying paperwork and grant management.
Low-income, high-need, and special populations (including Title I students, English learners, migrant/neglected/delinquent youth, and students relying on after‑school or student support programs) would lose targeted federal supports and services.
Locking grant amounts at FY2025 levels risks an erosion of real funding over time if inflation or enrollment growth continue, meaning fewer resources per student unless Congress provides increases later.
States and districts could face sudden funding shortfalls for programs formerly covered by federal categorical grants and may need to replace costs locally or cut services, increasing pressure for local tax increases or budget tradeoffs.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Repeals many ESEA formula grants effective Oct 1, 2025, and creates FY2026-starting State block grants equal to each State's FY2025 funding for those programs.
Official title: To repeal certain formula grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and use such funds to award block grants to States, except as otherwise appropriated by Congress.
Introduced January 31, 2025 by Timothy Burchett · Last progress January 31, 2025
Creates a permanent K–12 block grant program that, beginning in fiscal year 2026, pays each State an annual block grant equal to what the State received in FY2025 from a long list of existing Elementary and Secondary Education Act formula grant programs. It repeals many ESEA formula grant programs effective October 1, 2025, and defines “State” to include the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico (excluding other territories and tribes unless otherwise specified). The result replaces numerous targeted federal grants (Title I, II, III, IV, V, VI subparts) with a single state-directed funding stream based on FY2025 allocations.